Goa Students Adopt 'Termite' Label in Protest Over NEET Cancellation

A day after Goa BJP vice-president Narendra Sawaikar referred to protesters as 'termites' in a social media post, several students and citizens held a peaceful protest at Azad Maidan in Panaji on Wednesday. The protesters, many of whom described themselves as 'termites', expressed frustration over the cancellation of the NEET exam and alleged paper leaks, demanding accountability from the government.

Maithily Chumbalkar, a recent postgraduate, said: 'I am a termite. And if I am, I would try to eat up the government's fortress of corrupt power. There is authoritarianism to such a level that leaders are calling the youth termites and filing FIRs just for speaking up.'

The protest came after Sawaikar posted on X on Monday night: 'Cockroaches with the termites! Save the nation!' The post drew criticism from opposition parties, who demanded an apology for using 'disgraceful and dehumanising language'. Sawaikar maintained that his post 'had no reference to anyone'.

On Monday evening, hundreds gathered near Miramar circle for a candle-light solidarity march to Azad Maidan, held against the backdrop of protests by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi. Goa Police later lodged an FIR against 'unknown supporters' of the CJP and protesters for alleged unlawful assembly and organising the protest without prior permission.

Students also expressed solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike. Muskan Shaikh, a college student, said: 'I am fine with being labelled a termite if that leads to accountability. More than 20 students have died by suicide due to NEET cancellation. The Education Minister needs to take responsibility.'

Some students voiced fear of police action, referencing the lathi-charge at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Namrata Nainan, who witnessed the Delhi protest, said: 'I am quite nervous. They referred to youth as cockroaches before, and now termites. It seems they have not learned.'

Anand Nainan, an 18-year-old student, added: 'It is very authoritarian to label protesters as termites. They are trying to delegitimise protests, especially when they refuse dialogue. The presence of policemen with lathis is concerning.'

The protest highlights growing student frustration over the NEET examination controversy and what many see as the government's dismissive response to their concerns.